SACRAMENTO – The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services dispatched on an “immediate need”, four additional strike teams; totaling 20 local government engines, to the Emigrant Gap fire off Interstate 80. The fire is currently burning out of control, threatening structures and has the potential of jumping
I – 80.

Of the four teams, two originate from Sacramento County, one from Placer County, and one from Calaveras County

Throughout Northern California and Nevada, eight fires have burned an estimated 92,000 acres so far. In addition to the recent group of four strike teams, OES has also deployed 79 other State OES and local government fire engines, two state-of-the-art OES satellite communication trailers, and numerous fire and telecommunications staff to the Northern California fire lines.

The local and state-owned equipment has been dispatched through California’ ;s Fire and Rescue

Mutual Aid System, administered by OES, to assist the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, U.S. Forest Service, and local departments. The system is designed to ensure that additional resources are provided to local jurisdictions whenever their own resources are committed or insufficient for a specific fire.

Among the 99 engines deployed, 20 are State-owned OES Engines. These engines have been provided to local departments by OES. Under an agreement with the state, when requested by OES, fire departments are required to dispatch the engines, including personnel, within an hour to the scene of an emergency or disaster in California.

When not in use during a disaster, local departments may use the engines for mutual aid response for neighboring cities and counties, local multiple alarm fires, temporary replacement of out-of-service engines, for training, and for other local needs.